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January 22, 2009

Yes, I know New Year's Eve was 22 days ago BUT I had been working on this in December when I got sidetracked. I hope you'll understand.

These photos were taken with my BRAND NEW used digital SLR. Oh, you don't know HOW long I've been wanting one of these. Probably before they were even invented. And now, I finally have one!

But is it everything it promised to be?

Yes....and more! Oh, so much more.

Taking photos of Lily has never been easier! Oh, did I just give away the surprise? Yes, it's Lily behind the silver balloon. And boy, she goes a mile a minute. There's no stopping her somedays. Keeping her from becoming a long blur in photos has been a painfully frustrating challenge. Now, with shutter speeds of 1/350 of a second (indoor shots) she's as frozen as the ice on the windshield of my car.

Did I mention it's freakin' cold here?

But I digress, the sweater....I saw a post on Oh Happy Day about a j.crew sweater that a fellow blogger had tried to replicate. I too fell in love and attempted my own version. I have to admit, though simple, the time it took to make each of the flowers was terribly tedious. I wouldn't want to make another one every again.To make each flower just cut about 35 petals in varying sizes with a silk or silk-like material. Take each one and fold it in half. Thread each folded petal on a string. When all petals are on, tie the end of the string to the beginning and voila! You have a lovely floppy flower. I'd recommend cutting the petals all together. I took five pieces of fabric and cut seven varying petals at once. It still takes what seems like an eternity to complete.The skirt was a little easier. I used a shimmery duponi silk. I cut the fabric to hang to lily's ankles for a more formal look.

To be honest I wish I had one for myself.

When I'm holding my new camera I feel just like a real professional:) It's heavy and feels important in my hands. I imagine my camera laments over having such an amateur owner. Maybe that's because when we're in public it tries to pretend we're not together. What's that all about?

There was one disappointing drawback that I wasn't aware of. That being, only newer digital SLRs have live view. Something about mirrors and sensors. Was I the only one who didn't know that? It's taken some adjusting but I think I've gotten the hang of it.

Now, I'm thinking about all the cool extras I need. That is, a cool remote control for taking photos in front of the camera. A cool telephoto lens for taking extra blurry photos. A super cool speedlite, so my pictures don't look as if a nuclear bomb just exploded in our faces.

Needless to say, we had a fun photo shoot. Lily desperately wanted to help decorate. So I allowed her to punch the holes in the stars. Her favorite part was running through the silvery wonderland. And with my super cool camera I have about a hundred more photos of her mid-dance.

I would say that this outfit would fit a 3T-5T:)

Last day for posts is Monday 2/2/09Winnerwill be announced Wednesday!As usual, if you would like a chance to win this dressjust link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

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This is darling!! Congrats on the new camera! I thought your old pictures looked great. Did you do the tree lighting frock give-away? I've been checking for a while and I can't seem to find who the winner was. I hope it was me!

Your daughter is adorable! I love the blurry photo with the balloon up front and your daughter in the back! I love this outfit-your very talented!!Ive created a link here:http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-eve-sweater-and-skirt.html

Sorry - just wanted to let you know I linked - I just couldn't get your link button to work for me - but it's here: www.piperstarr.blogspot.comJust want to make sure I am following the rules - I love this oufit! Thank you!

GORGEOUS! I tried to make some of those flowers after you showed me how to do it the other day and I stopped at 2. Tedious indeed! The finished product looks so choice! AND what of this new camera!? What kind did you get!

You have done it again! Not that I am the least bit surprised. I have created a "GrosGrain Spotlight" in my blog's sidebar. I hope this counts for a link back...and I hope to win this very pretty number...my little Roxie would love the girly-ness of it. Cheers to all!

Just let me tell you that creations are wonderful. the LOVE the ruffles on the blouse. Please dont count me in the give away because my kiddo is only 21 months and i really want other moms to have more chances. but i just needed to tell you that the outfit like so beautiful. :)

There are ZERO little girls in my life to appreciate this, but I just had to comment on how these pictures are so fantastic and inspirational. I am certainly inspired to dream of having a little girl to party with one day!

Oh this is beautiful! I would love to see this on my adorable niece, it's just what my Sister-in-law would pick out for her!! I have added a link to my blog: http://smoochntell.blogspot.com/2009/01/gifty-kisses_21.html

I've been following your blog for a few months, I love your stuff and this outfit is to die for. It would look great on my 4 year old, then later on my two year old, then again on my newborn! I created a link, Hope I win!!

Lovely, Lovely!!! Those flowers are tedious , but a girls got to do what a girls got to do...The photo shoot is one of my faves so far.And as far as the CPSIA Etsy has a very informative dialogue going on right now.Plus you give everything away so you're in a different category (the "she's so unselfish ) one.

i love getting to see the pieces from the kitchen table made into such a darling ensemble! ; ) and your pictures? i can't believe you got such great shots with the regular digital! they're all wonderful but i really love the 'party aftermath'. i've got to break my camera out. oh, and i'll be setting up my online site soon. hopefully tonight!!

I am sooo in love with this and secretly wish I was a tiny little person so I could wear it! Is it bad that I am going to be jealous of my daughter when she gets to twirl around in it (which I know she'll do)? :)

The "model" has as much to do with making this spectacular as your creativity did in producing it. Wouldn't my niece love this????? Your photos are wonderful. Maybe you can give some tips in taking good what look like professional runway photos.

I create a link to this lovely fairy clothes' ! so wonderful ! I created a link on it on my blog here : http://stecolargol.over-blog.com/article-27179530.html so I hope I am still entered in the contest ? I joined technorati today but I don't understand all ! I'm so sorry ! My english is so bad ! I'll be crossing fingers !SINCERELY !

ohhhhh I don't see my comment ! so I writte again. I hope that the link I just create today is OK ? I'll be crossing fingers to win ! so beautiful clothes ! I love your creations You can see the link on a post I've just made itthanks a lotsincerelyI'm so sorry my english is not so good ! I'm a french womanLINK IS HERE : http://stecolargol.over-blog.com/article-27179530.html

Oh my goodness. baby girl(grandaughter) is due in April. Hard to believe that one day she'll be wearing these cute type of clothes! Would love to save this for her. Thank you!Created a link:http://nanja-nansplace.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-eve-sweater-and-skirt.htmlnanja[at]comcast[dot]net

i made a grosgrain ad for my page - i hope that's ok! it's not directly to your merch account...so i can change that if you want. let me know if you have another vision for your link, i was just having fun with my blog. : )

The dress is wonderful but your pictures are just amazing! I'd love to win the game for my own Lily .. I know she's a little bit young (nearly 2 years) but it would be a magical time ... So let's try and thanks for the lovely blog..

Hey Kathleen...I just wanted to pop in and say Hello~ I showed my photographer husband your 'new' pics...he wants to know what kind of camera...he shoots with a Canon something or other...I love this new outfit~Zana

Wow!! I LOVE it! It is so beautiful and as a seamstress I can imagine the time that went into creating it! I'd love to see my little girls, Halle & Ella, dancing around in it. I made a special post on my blog just for this giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance to win!

...oh, the photos are great! I don't have an SLR yet but hoping to get one w/in the next month or so. I can't wait!